kingfisher

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cecilia
cecilia's picture
kingfisher

I am confused about the identification of a pair of kingfishers which were checking out the tadpole population in my pond in the Yarra Valley, Victoria.

Both were a teal colour - not the brilliant sapphire blue I've seen before.

My Simpson & Day book showed nothing likely to be in this area fitting the description, but a friend's Michael Morcombe identifies them as Azure Kingfishers.

Now my son has sent me a link to a website
http://www.birdphotos.com.au/sacredkingfisherweb/
which shows them to indeed be Sacred Kingfishers.

Please put me out of my confusion!
Cecilia Sharpley
www.duckpond-design.com.au/theduckpond

cecilia
cecilia's picture

Thanks Denis ........ but perhaps I didn't mention that these birds were not much bigger than a blackbird, and they had brown barred chests.

A couple more photos, if you'll bear with me!

I have about another 150 photos if you need to see any other angles!

cheers
cecilia
www.duckpond-design.com.au

ed
ed's picture

Hi Cecilia

Denis is right, Sacred Kingfisher for sure, if we are to believe 'Morcombe' the bird with the 'buff mottled brown' breast is a jev bird.

Ed

Ed Townsville NQ

cecilia
cecilia's picture

May I ask "what on earth is a 'jev' bird?

And while I'm here, perhaps a good question to ask would be
"What is the most respected and widely accepted authoritative book to be used for Australian bird identification?"

cecilia
www.duckpond-design.com.au/theduckpond

ed
ed's picture

Sorry typo.. should be juv = juvenile

I think everybody would give a different answer to 'which book'and I doubt any one book would cover all. I use Micheal Morcombe, for pictures and quick discription (a personal choice) but often refer to Graham Pizzey for a full discription. I also reference Simpson and Day and P Slater at times. If asked I would recommend 'Morcombe' as the best all round.

Ed

Ed Townsville NQ

cecilia
cecilia's picture

Well, now you've all convinced me that my 202 photos taken are all of Sacred Kingfishers!

And thanks for the point that I don't need just one bird book! I shall quote you to my husband next time he groans at the need for yet another bookcase in the house!
cecilia
www.duckpond-design.com.au/theduckpond

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